When we look at diatonic harmony, it’s really cool to see how different cultures understand major and minor scales. Let's break it down:

Western Music

• In Western music, major scales are often seen as happy and bright. For example, when you hear a major chord, it usually sounds joyful and uplifting.
• Minor scales, however, have a sadder or heavier feel. If you listen to a piece in a minor key, you can really feel the deep emotions it brings out.

Eastern Music

• In many Eastern cultures, scales can mean different things. For example, the pentatonic scale shows that harmony isn't always strict; it's more about the unique feel of the notes instead of sticking closely to diatonic harmony.
• Some cultures, like Indian classical music, use ragas. These might sound similar to Western scales, but they have their own special emotions and meanings.

African Music

• In African music, harmony is often more about the rhythm than the notes themselves. The focus is on community and call-and-response patterns, which might not fit perfectly with Western ideas of diatonic harmony.

Middle Eastern Music

• The Arabic Maqam system includes specific scales that go beyond just major and minor scales. It uses microtones, which create different emotional feelings in music.

Summary

In short, while we usually think about major and minor scales in Western music, it’s important to remember that diatonic harmony isn't understood the same way everywhere. Different cultures have their own views, which show how music can express emotions and connect with society. This variety adds to the richness of music around the world, making it more fun to explore and understand!